The EPA research Report shows that breathing new life into cut-away and degraded boglands would provide climate, biodiversity, water and economic benefits. The report was launched at an international Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting being held in Dublin this week. The IPCC has a central role in informing the global response to climate change including on how to account for potential carbon benefits from restoring degraded bogs.
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UCD based Dr David Wilson led the "Carbon Restore" project and it was carried out with the cooperation of Bord na Móna which own much of Ireland’s depleted and degraded peatland.
Laura Burke, EPA Director General said: "The report indicates that there is significant potential to using restored industrial peatlands to address climate change and other environmental challenges for Ireland. Climate change is a pressing issue that requires long term strategic responses, including in the management of land use. This research also presents us with a vision of effective management of cutaway peatlands. Lands previously thought of as having little or no economic value are potentially valuable resources if subject to appropriate long term management."
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